Wire-stretcher



(No Model.) V

H. H. VAN-ORMER.

WIRE S'TRETGHER'. No. 476,338. Patented June '7 1892.

UNITED STATES PATEN i ricn.

HARRY II. VAN ORMER, OF EDWARDSBURG, MICHIGAN.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,338, dated June 7,1892. Application filed September 25, 1891. Serial No. 406,785. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY H. VAN ORMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Edwardsburg, in the county of Cass and State of Michigan,have invented anew and useful .VireStretcher, of which the following isa specification.

The invention relates to improvements in wi re-stretchers.

The object of the present invention is to simplify and improve theconstruction of wire-stretchers and to enable the same to be readilyoperated to maintain the wires of a fence at any desired tension.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire-stretcherconstructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is alongitudinalsectional view. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the bar. Fig. 4is asimilar view of the pawl. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the ratchetremoved.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

1 designates a bar constructed of metal and provided at one end with anopening 2 and having at the opposite end an integral laterally-extendingstub-shaft or spindle 3, on which is arranged a ratchet-wheel 4, whichhas an extended hub 5, having its outer end 6 squared and adapted forthe reception of a collar 7. The collar 7 has a square opening toreceive the squared portion 6 and is provided with a rectangular flange8, adapted to be engaged by a wrench to turn the ratchetwheel. Theratchet-wheel and collar are retained on the stub-shaft or spindle byawasher 9 and a bolt 10, passing through a perforation in the outer endof the stub-shaft or spindle. The bar 1 is offset at 11 to form ashoulder, which is provided in opposite sides with inclined recesses 12,having their walls oppositely beveled and being V-shaped incross-section and adapted forthe reception of a pawl 13. The pawl 13 isprovided at its outer end with a tooth 14 to engage the ratchet 7 wheel,and it has a V-shaped recess 15 at its inner end and is adapted tostraddle the recessed portion of the bar 1, and the pawl is beveled onits upper and lower faces at the sides of its recess to conform to theconfiguration of the bar. By this construction the pawl is securelyretained in operative position and is permitted a limited movement toengage and disengage the teeth.

The device is designed to form a permanent attachment to a fence,whereby the wires maybe tightened from time to time. A wire to bestretched is wound on the cylindrical portion of the hub of theratchet-wheel and the end of the wire is inserted in asocket formed bygrooves 16 and 17 in the hub of the ratchetwheel and in the collar. Thebar 1 is connected with a post by any suitable means, and by turning thehub with a wrench any tension of the wire may be obtained.

It will readily be seen that the wire-stretcher is simple andcomparatively inexpensive in construction and is capable of maintaininga wire at any desired tension.

WVhat I claim is 1. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of a bar havinga spindle and provided with ashoulder, a ratchet-wheel mounted on thespindle and having its hub extended and squared, a collar arranged onthe hub, and a pawl straddling the shoulder of the bar and engaging theratchet-wheel, substantially as described.

2. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of a bar having a spindle andprovided with a shoulder having inclined recesses on opposite sidesthereof, the walls of the recesses being oppositely beveled, aratchet-wheel having its hub squared, a collar arranged on the hub, anda pawl provided with a V-shaped recess and straddling the shoulder ofthe bar and having the upper and lower faces at the sides of the recessbeveled and conforming to the configuration of the recesses of the bar,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY H. VAN ORMER.

Witnesses:

F. W. BEAN, J. D. BEAN.

